6th Arr
Paris - 6th Arrondissement
Hello Paris! For the majority of Parisians and those who travel to Paris religiously, the 6th arrondissement is the perfect neighborhood (made of of three important areas: the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Garden area and the village of St.Germain-des-Pres). Here you have churches (must-see St. Sulpice and l'Eglise St.Germain-des-Pres), museums (Musee Delacroix, Musee de la Monnaie, Musee Zadkine, Musee d' Histoire de la Medecine), lovely strolls (along the Quai Voltaire and Pont des Arts), charm to the nth degree, and two other things that make the 6th what it is: the Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) and the French cafe culture. Can you hit a nice cafe anywhere in Paris? Anywhere. But the three cafes that stand out as the big boys are all within paper airplane throwing distance from each other in the heart of St. Germain des Prés: Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and Café Bonaparte (the less touristy of the lot). Also expect perfectly charming streets -- think rue Buci, rue St. Andre des Arts, rue Jacob -- full of quaint shops and yummy patisseries, bakeries, wine shops, etc. If you're going to get lost in Paris, best get lost here -- then cross your fingers and hope nobody finds you!
Destinations in the 6th Arr
-
Eglise St Sulpice
The second largest church in Paris, the St Sulpice that now stands is actually the second building. The original was built in the 13th century, and the present church was founded in 1646. The frescoes within St Sulpice depict Jacob wrestling with the angel and Marchael the Archangel battling with Satan and were painted by Eugene Delacroix in the mid 19th century. The church also contains one of the most famous organs that dates from the 18th century. -
La Fontaine Medicis
La Fontaine Medicis
La Fontaine Médicis might be the most romantic fountain in all of Paris -- and it's also one of the original remaining decorations of Queen Marie de Medicis. Located in the Luxembourg Gardens, it was built in the 1630's for the queen so she could reminisce about her childhood grotto in Florence, Italy in the Boboli Gardens (it is a representation of the grotto of Bountalenti). Find a chair underneath the big shady plane trees and just breathe. This is a spot of pure peacefulness.
Jardin du Luxembourg
Luxembourg Gardens
75006, Paris -
Les Deux Magots
This café may attract more tourists than literati these days, but it first became famous as the hangout of Sartre, Hemingway, and others. Everything is a little overpriced in this place, which was first established in 1885 and named after the two Chinese figurines that remain from its former incarnation as a department store, but you pay for the fame and the experience. Order a café espresso from the suit-clad, business-like waiters, and then ponder the rest of your Paris itinerary in the same booth Hemingway sat in to think up his novels.
-
St-Germain-des-Prés
St-Germain-des-Prés
This is the neighborhood that, if you are French, you dream to live in; and the neighborhood, if you are a tourist, you come to stroll in and take in a cup of coffee at a streetside cafe. -
The Church of St.Germain des Pres
Once the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, and now the Église de Saint-Germain-des-Prés, this is the oldest church in Paris. Built in the 6th century by Childebert I of Spain, it resides in the most charming neighborhood in Paris (on the Left Bank), the neighborhood of Saint Germain des Prés. Step inside and find the last of the three remaining bell towers; the tomb of the King of Poland, John Casimir II, the last Polish monarch from the House of Vasa, who died in 1672; the tomb of St Germanus, the "Father of the Poor" in the Saint Symphorian's Chapel; the tomb of philosopher René Descartes; and the Memorial of James Douglas, a Scottish nobleman and a page of King Louis VIII, in the Chapelle de Sainte-Thérèse.
-
The Highlander
A Scottish bar at the end of Pont Neuf, The Highlander offers a relaxed and friendly environment to unwind and get a few drinks after a day of walking the city. The bartenders are all native English speakers and very friendly, and with several drink specials per night, the prices are cheap even after happy hour ends. Large televisions continuously show foreign sporting events, from boxing to Major League Baseball. Check the website to see what games are on for the night. Sunday is trivia night, so bring a team of knowledgeable friends and try your luck at everything from “Name that Tune” and current events to old movie trivia. The quiz is conducted in English and a very fun, casual group activity.
-
The Raspail Organic Market
Each Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m, join the shoppers dragging the chariots and shopping bags who wouldn't do without their weekly fix of organic products. People come from all over Paris to make their purchases and enjoy the scene. Don't faint if you spot Catherine Deneuve trying to be incognito.
What you'll find: Incredible produce, fish, meat (no hormones and milk fed, merci) fruit that's so fresh you can smell it before you approach the stall and miniature vegetables that were harvested in their infancy.
-
6th Arrondisment
Thanks for all the information. I'll be staying in this area for the month of October and am so looking forward to it. I was in Paris this past Christmas and New Year's Eve and stayed near the Louvre. I loved it but wanted more activity around me for this trip. I'm a senior citizen who recently fell in love with France. -
If You are looking for Stores where to buy Children's Clothes
Head to the Southern part of the Luxembourg Garden off of Rue d'Assas and go to Rue Vavin. It's a shoppers' heaven for those looking for clothes for wee ones. If you happen to be in Paris during the sales, so much the better. But still, it's hard to resist these clothes.
